With 40% of the population now vaccinated, cities are opening, masks mandates are loosening, and things have begun the ascent to normalcy. But which cities will be fully running first? We took a look at some of America's cities and where they stand in the ongoing journey to eliminate COVID-19 for good.
You may be asking why some cities have different policies, different mandates, and different ideas on what their population is expected to do. It comes down to a few factors, including:
As of May 27, 2021, there are only six states in the entire country whose cases are rising. That includes California, Washington, Montana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island. Most state mandates are looser than those of the densely-populated urban areas.
Based on these factors, state or city governments will decide how cautious to be, what is necessary, and what they can afford. They will also look at the base of their economy, or where the economic health of the city is centered. Large cities gets a significant part of their revenue from tourism and the service industry, so densely populated, urban places have to factor that in as well.
With all that in mind, lets take a look at where some of the largest cities stand.
QUICK LOOK
Mask Mandate? YES
Full or Partial City Opening? Partial
Schools fully reopening? SEPTEMBER
Cases up or down? DOWN
Current Number of cases: 948,000
Percentage vaccinated: 50%
At-Risk Level: MEDIUM
Hospital Capacity: 71-74%
Covid Policy: NYC loosened many of their city-wide restrictions on May 17, with a full reopening planned for July. To travel to NYC, you are still recommended to quarantine (CDC recently lifted quarantine restrictions for vaccinated Americans). In terms of dining, the city is currently at 100% "socially distanced" capacity, which means that restaurants are free to have as many tables inside as they wish, provided the tables are six feet apart. In addition to this, 4/5 or 80% of workers in NYC remote because of Covid will not return to in-person work, possibly ever.
QUICK LOOK
Mask Mandate? YES
Full or Partial City Opening?
Schools fully reopening? SEPTEMBER
Cases up or down? DOWN
Current Number of cases: 48,844
Percentage vaccinated: 45%
At-Risk Level: MEDIUM
Hospital Capacity: 86%
Covid Policy: On May 21, the city of Washington, D.C. relaxed a number of their city-wide restrictions, with future plans to open to full capacity. There are now no capacity limits on gyms, libraries, places of worship, special events, and weddings, and bars and nightclubs are still at 50% capacity. Sports games are currently at 36% capacity. Mayor Muriel Bowser has said that all these restrictions will ease on June 11. Washington DC jails relaxed their 23-hour lockdown policy on May 13.
QUICK LOOK
Mask Mandate? YES
Schools fully reopening? SEPTEMBER
Cases up or down? DOWN
Current Number of cases: N/A
Percentage vaccinated: 42.8%
At-Risk Level: MINIMAL
Hospital Capacity: 96%
Covid Policy: Los Angeles movie theaters, restaurants, and fitness centers opened up to partial capacity in March. Dining resumed at 25% capacity, with 8 feet of distance between tables. Indoor shopping is at 50% capacity.
QUICK LOOK
Mask Mandate? Yes
Schools reopening?
Cases up or down?
Current Number of cases:
Percentage vaccinated:
Percentage At-Risk:
Hospital Capacity:
Covid Policy: All businesses will open at 100% capacity on June 30th, or before if the city reaches the 70% vaccination percentage mark for its total population. Meeting venues are at 50% capacity, and restaurants are at 50% capacity. Open-air dining has a maximum of 10 people per table. Social distancing is mandatory for outdoor parks and camping, and beaches.
QUICK LOOK
Mask Mandate? YES FOR NON-VACCINATED
Schools reopening? SEPTEMBER
Cases up or down? DOWN
Current Number of cases: 552,000 (COOK CO)
Percentage vaccinated: 33%
At-Risk Level: MEDIUM
Hospital Capacity: N/A
Covid Policy: Chicago has exempted vaccinated people from all city-wide restrictions and lifted the mask mandate on May 18. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said that the city could be fully open by the July 4 holiday. Currently, outdoor dining permits tables of 10. Weddings and social gatherings have a capacity of 100 now (previously 50). Chicago also requires non-vaccinated people to wear masks while seated at all restaurant tables, aside from when they are eating, and all indoor dining adheres to the six-foot rule.
QUICK LOOK
Mask Mandate? GOVT BUILDINGS
Schools reopening? YES
Cases up or down? DOWN
Current Number of cases: 98, 517 (FULTON CO)
Percentage vaccinated: 39%
At-Risk Level: MEDIUM
Hospital Capacity: 89%
Covid Policy: Atlanta is in phase 3 of their 5-phase reopening plan, somewhat at odds with Georgia state Governor Brian Kemp, who lifted any and all restrictions including the mask mandate via executive order on May 3. However, Atlanta is easing some restrictions, such as allowing businesses to resume operations with some precautions and restrictions. City employees have not returned to in-person work. Atlanta is planning to go ahead to Phase 4 in June. The mask mandate in Atlanta is restricted to government buildings. The state of Georgia is among the lowest in terms of how many residents have been vaccinated, with 39% of Georgians fully vaccinated.
QUICK LOOK
Mask mandate? NO
Schools reopening? SEPTEMBER
Cases up or down? DOWN
Current Number of cases: 500,000
Percentage vaccinated: 38.5%
At-Risk Level: HIGH
Hospital Capacity: 84%
Covid Policy: There has never been a mask mandate in Florida, and Miami has been lax on mandates as well, generally leaving it up to businesses to determine their own risk levels. Masks are officially recommended, though, and are required at Miami-Dade International Airport and public transportation without exception. Miami (and Florida in general) has some of the loosest restrictions in the country.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.